Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

The state's expansion is slated to expire in 2016, and the House speaker says he won't support an extension plan that includes public funding. In other states, Louisiana's new governor renews his pledge to move forward with Medicaid expansion, but the proposal by South Dakota's governor could hit some turbulence in the legislature.

Reuters:
Louisiana Governor Pledges To Expand Medicaid In Inaugural Address
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his agenda during his inaugural address on Monday, pledging to expand Medicaid, enact education reforms, and find long-term solutions to the state's large budget deficit. Edwards, the first Democrat to hold the office of governor in Louisiana since 2008, said he planned to begin accepting federal funding on Tuesday to expand healthcare to residents through the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. (Carroll, 1/11)

New Orleans Times-Picayune:
John Bel Edwards Emphasizes Unity As He Becomes Louisiana's 56th Governor
Gov. John Bel Edwards reprised a message about political unity and putting "Louisiana first" shortly after being sworn in as Louisiana's 56th governor Monday (Jan. 11). ... Edwards emphasized many of the same issues he brought up during his campaign. Almost immediately, he reiterated his plans to to kick off Medicaid expansion in Louisiana on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after he takes office. (O'Donoghue, 1/11)

Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader:
Could Timing Doom Medicaid, Teacher Pay Debates?
In politics, timing is everything, they say. Could the adage doom Gov. Dennis Daugaard's top priorities for the 2016 legislative session? The Republican governor is expected to pitch Medicaid expansion and higher teacher pay Tuesday during his State of the State address. Either proposal on its own would be a tough sell to conservative legislators in his own party. Convincing them to bend on both is doubly ambitious. "One could have greater success if the other were not in play," House Speaker Brian Gosch, R-Rapid City, said Monday. (Ferguson, 1/11)

Also, some guidance for consumers who may qualify for Medicaid coverage -

Kaiser Health News:
Slipping Between Medicaid And Marketplace Coverage Can Leave Consumers Confused
For people whose income changes shift them above or below the Medicaid threshold during the year, navigating their health insurance coverage can be confusing. Ditto for lower income people who live in states that may expand Medicaid this year. Under the health law, states can expand Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (about $16,000 for an individual). Thirty states and the District of Columbia have done so. This week I answered three questions from readers about how Medicaid interacts with plans on the health insurance marketplaces. (Andrews, 1/12)

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